Flax Health Dictionary

A lung disease caused by an unknown agent in the dust produced during the processing of flax, cotton, hemp, or sisal. Byssinosis produces a feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath that may become chronic if exposure continues. Bronchodilator drugs and other drugs used to treat asthma may relieve symptoms, but adequate ventilation and personal protective equipment such as dust masks will reduce the risk.

cachexia A condition of severe weight loss and decline in health caused by a serious underlying disease, such as cancer or tuberculosis, or by starvation.... byssinosis

(Linn.) Webb ex Prantl.

Synonym: Sisymbrium sophia L.

Family: Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Kumaon at 2,200-4,100, also in eastern Himalaya.

English: Flix Weed, Flax Weed.

Action: Leaf and flower—astringent, antiscorbutic. Seed—expectorant, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, antidysenteric. Aerial parts— antiviral, hypoglycaemic.

The plants has been used externally for ulcers, seeds are used as substitute or adulterant of the seeds of Sisymbrium iro Linn. (The source of Khaakasi, Khubb, Tukhm-e-Shahuh, Khuubkalaan of Unani medicine, known as Hedge Mustard or London Rocket.)... descurainia sophia

Linn.

Habitat: Cultivated mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan.

English: Linseed, Flax.

Ayurvedic: Atasi, Umaa, Masrnaa, Nilapushpi, Kshumaa.

Unani: Kattan.

Siddha/Tamil: (Seed).

Action: Seed—demulcent, emollient, laxative, antilipidemic, antitussive, pectoral (used in bronchitis and cough). Flowers—used as nervine and cardiac tonic. Oil— used in burns, skin injuries and sores.

Key application: Internally, for chronic constipation, for colons damaged by abuse of laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, symptomatic short-term treatment of gastritis and enteritis. Externally, for painful skin inflammations. (German Commission E, ESCOP, The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The plant contains chlorogenic acid and its isomer. Also present are palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, along with amino acids, and sugars. Linseed also contains mucilage (3-10%) in epidermis; fatty oil (30-40%); cyanogenic glycosides (0.05-00.1%) mainly linus- tatin, neolinustatin and linamarin; lig- nans; phenylpropane derivatives including linusitamarin. (Cyanogenic glycosides are not found toxic in therapeutic doses as these are broken down only to a limited extent in the body.)

The seeds are an excellent source of dietary alpha-linolenic acid for modifying plasma and tissue lipids. Flaxseed preparations reduced atherogenic risk in hyperlipemic patients. (Cited in Expanded Commission E Monographs.)

Human studies have indicated Flax- seed's use in atherosclerosis, hyperc- holesterolemia, lupus nephritis, chronic renal diseases and in cancer prevention (active principle: lignan precursor secoisolariciresinol diglycoside). (Sharon M. Herr. Also Am J Clin Nutr, 1999, 69, 395-402.)

The PP glucose response to a 50 g carbohydrate load given as Flaxseed bread was found to be 27% lower when compared with regular white bread.

Taking Flaxseed oil daily for 3 months did not improve symptoms of pain and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis and no effect was observed on RA, such as C-reactive protein and ESR. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

The water-binding capacity and rhe- ological properties of linseed mucilage resembled those of guar gum.

Dosage: Ripe seed—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.) Flower-bud—3-6 g; oil—5-10 ml. (CCRAS.)... linum usitatissimum

Viscum album. N.O. Loranthaceae.

Synonym: European Mistletoe, Birdlime Mistletoe.

Habitat: Parasitic on the Oak, Hawthorn, Apple and many other trees.

Features ? This familiar evergreen is a true parasite, receiving no nourishment from the soil, nor even from the decaying bark. The leaves are obtuse lance-shaped, broader towards the end, sessile, and grow from a smooth-jointed stem about a foot high. The flower-heads are yellowish and the berries white. The plant is tasteless and without odour.

Part used ? Leaves.

Action: Highly valued as a nervine and antispasmodic.

Mistletoe leaves are given in hysteria, epilepsy, chorea and other diseases of the nervous system. As an anti-spasmodic and tonic it is used in cardiac dropsy.

Culpeper is at his most "Culpeperish" in discussing this plant, as witness:

"The birdlime doth mollify hard knots, tumours and imposthumes, ripeneth and discuteth them; and draweth thick as well as thin humours from remote parts of the body, digesting and separating them. And being mixed with equal parts of resin and wax, doth mollify the hardness of the spleen, and healeth old ulcers and sores. Being mixed with Sandarack and Orpiment, it helpeth to draw off foul nails; and if quicklime and wine lees be added thereunto it worketh the stronger. Both the leaves and berries of Mistletoe do heat and dry, and are of subtle parts."

While some truth may be hidden behind all this quaint terminology, it is feared that the modern herbal consultant would encounter serious difficulties if he attempted to follow the Culpeperian procedure too literally—although certain people still believe, or affect to believe, that he does so!

The birdlime mentioned in the quotation and also in the synonyms is the resin viscin, from the Latin viscum, birdlime.

MOUNTAIN FLAX.

Linum cartharticum. N.O. Linaceae

Synonym: Purging Flax.

Habitat: Heaths, moorlands; occasionally meadows and pastures.

Features ? Stem simple, up to eight inches high. Leaves opposite, small, lower obovate, higher lanceolate, entire. Flowers small, white (June to September), five-parted with serrate sepals, pointed petals. Taste, bitter and acrid.

Part used ? Herb.

Action: Laxative, cathartic.

In constipation, action similar to Senna, and sometimes preferred to the latter; rarely gripes. Occasionally prescribed with diuretics, etc., for gravel and dropsy. Combined with tonics and stomachics such as Gentian and Calumba root, makes a first-rate family medicine. Dose, wineglass of the ounce to pint infusion.... mistletoe

Linn.

Synonym: R. canescens L.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Abundant in moist and warm regions of West Bengal, particularly in 24 Parganas and Howrah, and Kerala (as a weed).

Folk: Badaa Chaand.

Action: Root—sedative, hypotensive. Plant juice, mixed with castor oil, is applied to skin diseases and to destroy parasites.

The plant contains a number of alkaloids, including rauvolscine, aj- malicine, canescine, reserpine, pseu- doyohimbine; yohimbine, corynan- thene, raunescine, iso-raunescine and recanescine.

The major alkaloid is rauwolscine (alpha-yohimbine), present in the root bark (0.1%), stem bark (0.2%) and leaves (0.5%).

The roots are often used as a substitute or adulterant of those of R. serpentina, though the reserpine content of the dried root was found to be comparatively low (0.03-0.05%).

Family: Linaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim; commonly grown in gardens.

English: Winter-Flax, Yellow Flax.

Ayurvedic: Baasanti.

Folk: Abai (Maharashtra).

Action: Plant—used for the treatment of paralysis in Bihar. The crushed leaves and stems are applied to wounds infested with maggots.... rauvolfia tetraphylla

Tanacetum vulgare. N.O. Compositae.

Habitat: This common English wild plant was formerly cultivated in gardens, but is now rarely seen away from the borders of fields and waysides.

Features ? The tough, slightly ribbed stems reach a height of two or three feet, terminating in the peculiar bunch of yellow, flat, button-like flowers by which the plant may be easily recognised in July and August; the flowers look, indeed, as if all the petals had been pulled off, leaving only the central florets. Leaf stalks grow on alternate sides of the stem, the leaves themselves being six to eight inches long by about four inches broad, deeply cut pinnately. The crushed leaves and flowers give a pronounced aromatic smell, and have a bitter taste.

Tansy herb is probably the best of all the media for getting rid of worms in children, and a dose according to age should be given night and morning fasting. The infusion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of boiling water is used.

The medicine is also esteemed in some quarters for the treatment of hysteria and certain other of the nervous disorders of women. For this purpose a wineglassful of the infusion should be taken frequently.

The old-time herbalists used Tansy as a stimulating tonic for a poor digestive apparatus, but to-day herbal compounds of greater efficacy are prescribed for dyspepsia.

TOAD FLAX.

Linaria vulgaris. N.O. Scrophulariaceae.

Synonym: Butter and Eggs, Flaxweed, Pennywort. The name "Toad Flax" because of a supposed similarity between the mouth of the flower and that of the toad.

Habitat: Hedgerows and cornfields.

Features ? Stem one to two feet higli, upright, only slightly branched. Leaves numerous, grass-like, tapering to a point. Stem and leaves are smooth, with a pale bluish hue. Flowers shaped like the snapdragon (antirrhinum), pale yellow, mouth closed by projecting orange-coloured lower lip ; clustered together at top of stem.

Part used ? Herb.

Action: Hepatic, alterative, astringent, detergent.

To some extent in prescriptions for jaundice, hepatic torpor and skin diseases. Is also sometimes included in pile ointments. The 1 ounce to 1 pint infusion is taken in doses of 2 fl. ounces.... tansy

As a natural beverage, a cup of tea brings you many health benefits. One of them is related to blood pressure. Based on the type of tea you drink, it can help lower your blood pressure. Find out more about teas for blood pressure! Problems with blood pressure Blood pressure represents the pressure made by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels. However, problems appear in the case of hypertension and hypotension. Hypertension is a medical condition caused by a high blood pressure, while hypotension is caused by a low blood pressure. Both can be treated with one of the various types of tea for blood pressure. Tea for high blood pressure If you’ve got problems with hypertension (high blood pressure), hibiscus tea can help, as it is known to lower blood pressure. You can also pick one of these herbal teas: chrysanthemum tea, flax tea, periwinkle tea, red root tea, self-heal tea, white peony root tea, valerian tea, or wild cherry bark tea. You can also drink hyssop tea, barberry tea, and rosemary tea, regardless of the blood pressure problem. These three teas will help regulate your blood pressure and reduce the risk of getting either high or low blood pressure problems. Tea for low blood pressure In the case of hypotension (low blood pressure), some of the teas you can try include lovage tea, ephedra tea, wu yi tea, cat’s claw tea, vervain tea, or wheatgrass tea. Black tea can help too, though you have to be careful with it as it has a high content of caffeine. Forbidden teas for blood pressure problems There are several teas which you should avoid drinking, no matter if you’ve got problems with high blood pressure or low blood pressure. The list of teas you shouldn’t drink includes arnica tea, black cohosh tea, gentian tea, juniper tea, lobelia tea, red ginseng tea, sage tea, stone root tea, and yohimbe tea. Also, generally it isn’t recommended to drink tea that lowers blood pressure if you’ve got hypotension, or tea that leads to high blood pressure if you’ve got hypertension. Whether you’ve got problems with high blood pressure or low blood pressure, try a more natural treatment: choose one of the many teas for blood pressure!... tea for blood pressure

In order to stay away from various types of infection, we need to make sure we strengthen our immune system. This can be done with a careful alimentation, as well as by drinking tea. Consumption of tea, a natural beverage, can help your immunity and keep away infections. Find out more about teas for infections! What do teas for infection protect us from? Infections occur when our bodies become a host for disease-causing organisms (various viruses and bacteria). Our bodies fight against these harmful organisms thanks to our immune system. Tea can be drunk in order to strengthen our immune system, which then helps us protect ourselves from various infections. However, we can also drink tea when we get an infection. The type of infection requires a specific type of tea, as well. Teas for infection In order to prevent various infections, you can drink lemon thyme tea, flax tea, yerba santa tea, linden tea, turmeric tea, rosehip tea, myrtle tea , or sencha tea. As for treating infection, the list of teas includes bayberry tea, chaparral tea, schizandra tea, psyllium tea, pipsissewa tea, and agrimony tea. Usnea tea is known for treating various types of infections. This includes infections of the digestive track (fungal infections in the mouth, stomach or intestines) and many bacterial infections. It can be applied topically too, in order to treat skin infections. Other infections can be treated with various types of tea, as well. Here is a list: - bladder infection: honeysuckle tea, boldo tea, corn silk tea, abuta tea, mullein tea; - urinary tract infections: lovage tea, cranberry tea, club moss tea, buchu tea, goldenseal tea, boldo tea, corn silk tea, vervain tea, cleavers tea, violet leaf tea, basil tea; - prostate infection: carob tea; - ear infection: calendula tea, speedwell tea, parsley tea; - respiratory infections: burdock tea, thyme tea, sarsaparilla tea, pygeum bark tea, privet tea, pleurisy root tea, osha tea, white sage tea, speedwell tea; - treat infections with fever: bupleurum tea, yarrow tea, boneset tea; - irritable bowel infection: Iceland moss tea; - nose infection: hyssop tea; - throat infection: hyssop tea; - eye infection: self-heal tea, periwinkle tea; - worm infection: boldo tea; - skin infection (applied topically): blue flag tea, Turkey rhubarb tea, black tea, ancient forest tea; - intestinal infection: yerba mate tea; - vaginal infections: witch hazel tea, echinacea tea, partridgeberry tea; - fungal infections (applied topically): bitter orange peel tea, oregon grape root tea, neem tea; - mouth infections: bistort tea, walnut bark tea, Earl Grey tea. Side effects of teas for infections Despite each tea having its own list of health benefits, teas also have a few side effects which vary from one type to another. Be careful with teas that are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant: green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. They have a pretty high caffeine content, which can lead to unwanted side effects. If you know coffee isn’t good for you, you might get headaches, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeats, tremors, dizziness, or ringing in the ears. Pregnant and nursing women should be careful with the tea they drink, as it can affect the baby or, in case of pregnancy, lead to miscarriages. Make sure you talk with your doctor first, before you add a tea to your treatment. Also, as usnea tea is known for its benefits when it comes to infections, you should be careful with the amount you drink. Overconsumption can lead to internal bleedings, nausea and vomiting. It also shouldn’t be drunk by people who are taking blood thinners. While there are various infections in the world, there are also various teas which can prevent and treat these infections. Keep in mind both the benefits and side effects, and enjoy your tea for infections!... tea for infection

Flaxseed. Linum usitatissimum L. German: Flachs. French: Lin. Italian: Lino usuale. Chinese: Hu-ma-esze. Indian: Tesimosina. Arabian: Bazen. Part used: oil from the seeds (Linseed oil), seeds.

Constituents: oil, mucilage, protein.

Action: demulcent, emollient, anti-cough, nutrient body-builder, antispasmodic (stomach and bowel). Source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mucins and minerals. Expectorant. Bulk laxative and bowel lubricant. Rich in linoleic acid for breaking down cholesterol deposits, and to produce specific types of prostaglandins. Linseed is around six times richer in Omega-3 (the polyunsaturate present in fish oil) than most fish.

Uses: Its healing mucilage is beneficial for inflammation of the digestive and respiratory tracts, and of the gall duct. To soothe irritable mucous membranes. Spasmodic cough, bronchial asthma, bronchitis. To reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Heart disease. Persistent constipation.

Preparations: Average dose: 3-6 grams or equivalent. Thrice daily.

Tea: 2-3 teaspoons to cupful boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Drink without filtering, with honey for sweetening if necessary. One-third-1 cup.

Cold tea for stomach disorders: Half a teaspoon crushed Linseed to cup water soaked overnight. Drink next morning. Heat if desired.

Tincture: 1-2 teaspoons in water.

Poultice: Crushed seeds. Half fill small muslin bag with seeds; immerse in boiling water until swollen seeds fill the bag; apply to abscesses, boils, or to relieve chest pain.

Linseed oil. An ingredient of liniments for burns and scalds.

Linusit: organically cultivated golden Linseed.

Diet: 3 tablespoons crushed Flaxseed daily ensures adequate supply of Omega-3 fatty acids, sprinkled on breakfast cereal, or as an ingredient of muesli. Also increase fluid intake.

Capsules. Emulsified Linseed oil. 1,000mg organic cold-pressed Linseed oil: 1-5 daily. (Bio-Care) LION CLEANSING HERBS. Elder leaf 8 per cent, Fennel 18 per cent, Frangula 8 per cent, Ispaghula 8 percent, Mate 8 per cent, Senna leaf 50 per cent. Non-persistent constipation. (Potter’s) ... linseed

n. the teased-out short fibres of flax, hemp or jute, used in swabs for cleaning, in *packs or *stupes for the application of poultices, and for a variety of other purposes.... tow

Drinking tea is considered to be good for every adult, thanks to the many health benefits various types of tea have. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to children, babies included. Find out more about the types of tea for children, as well as the ones they shouldn’t drink. Be careful with teas for children Teas have plenty of health benefits when it comes to children, as well. You just have to be careful with the type of tea you give your child to drink. Some can help a lot, especially when it comes to colds or stomach problems, but other types of tea might lead to unpleasant side effects. The biggest problem revolves around the caffeine content found in teas; these include the teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant: green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. If your child drinks one of these teas that contain caffeine, it might give him an upset stomach, sleeping problems, or it might make him easily irritable. Teas for children Considering the fact that children like sweet things, fruit-flavored teas should tempt them. Not only is the aromatic taste pleasant, but drinking fruit-flavored teas should definitely be healthier for children than drinking soda. The fruit-flavored teas for children include apple, banana, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, passion fruit, or mango. The children are bound to enjoy it both hot during winter, and cold during summer (either prepared as iced tea, or simply left to cool at room temperature). Herbal teas are also recommended, especially thanks to the health benefits they have. Benefits of teas for children You can prepare tea for your child if he has small health problems, such as coughing, nausea, colic, or even anxiety. Generally, it is recommended to prepare only half a cup of tea for children, not a full cup. Also, steeping time shouldn’t be as long as usual, as the tea shouldn’t be too strong; steeping time can be half the usual time. Use honey, stevia or fruit juice to sweeten it. With this, the result will be a pleasant-tasting tea for children. For colic, you can prepare a cup of chamomile tea or peppermint tea for your child. To treat nausea, as well as motion sickness, prepare ginger tea. Also, if your child is constipated, prepare oatmeal with flaxseed tea instead of water. The tea you should use for coughs depends on the type of cough. If your child has a mild cough, you can give him peppermint tea. If the child’s coughing is caused by a sore throat, prepare marshmallow root tea or slippery elm tea . Meanwhile, for coughs with congestion, licorice or coltsfoot tea is better. If your child has a fever, you can give him half a cup of the following types of tea: lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, licorice or elder flower. Also, if your child has anxiety problems, try chamomile or oat straw tea; you can also prepare passionflower tea for children aged over 4, or skullcap tea for children aged over 6. Herbal tea can be good for children. You just have to pick the right one, in order to make sure it won’t end up harming your children.... teas for children

two groups of polyunsaturated fatty acids (see unsaturated fatty acid) that are essential for health but cannot be synthesized by the body. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the precursor for the *omega-3 fatty acids. Good sources include walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, rapeseed, soya, and corn oil. ALA can be converted (although not very efficiently) into DHA and EPA (the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish). Arachidonic acid is not considered an essential fatty acid as it can normally be synthesized from ALA. Linoleic acid is the precursor for the n-6 (or omega-6) fatty acids. Good sources include vegetable oils, such as corn, safflower, soybean, sesame, sunflower, and walnuts. Both omega-3 and omega-6 acids should be consumed in the diet.... essential fatty acids